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Quiz about Popeye Sez Watch Yer PronunskiAyshun

Popeye Sez: "Watch Yer Pronunski-Ayshun!" Quiz

We all know Popeye is a champ at mispronouncing words, but he's not the only one. I'll give you ten words; you select the proper pronunciation. Note: CAPS denote ACCENTED syllables. CAUTION: AMERICAN ENGLISH USAGE ONLY!

A multiple-choice quiz by snediger. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
snediger

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
330,333

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
653

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Hey! I really dig that shade of purple. Don't they call that "Mauve?" Give me the proper pronunciation of "mauve." Hint

mohv (long o, one syllable; rhymes with Jove)

MOH-vee (two syllables)

mawve (one syllable)

maw-VAY (two syllables)

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The settlers have pulled their wagons into a circle, and the Indians are attacking. The palefaces can't hold on for long! They sure hope the "cavalry" shows up. How is the word "cavalry" pronounced? Hint

KAV-uhl-ree (three syllables)

Kal-VA-ree (three syllables)

KAL-va-ree (three syllables)

Kal-VRAY (two syllables)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Hmm...I'm wondering whether or not that water is safe to drink. But look! There's a sign that says "potable." How would an American pronounce "potable?" Hint

POHT-ah-blay (three syllables)

POT-uh-bull (short o, three syllables)

POHT-uh-bull (long o, three syllables, rhymes with floatable)

pot- AH-blay (three syllables)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. You want help on polynomials from ME? Sorry, son, but higher math is just not my "forte." As used in that sentence, give me the ORIGINAL correct pronunciation of "forte."
Hint

FOR-tay (two syllables)

FOR-tee (two syllables)

for-TAY (two syllables)

FORT (one syllable)

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Hey, you've got diamond rings and lots of shiny things. That's some "jewelry" (or British spelling, jewellery) collection, you have there, babe! How is the word "jewelry" pronounced? Hint

JOO-luh-ree (three syllables)

JOO-uhl-ree (three syllables)

JOOL-ree (two syllables)

jool-REE

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Yuk! You like romantic comedies? I'm sorry, but that's not a "genre" I'd prefer.
How is the word "genre" (meaning a kind or type of literature, art or entertainment) pronounced in American usage? Hint

ZHAHN-ruh (two syllables)

jahn-RAY (two syllables)

JAHN-ruh (two syllables)

ZHAHN-ree (two syllables)

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In this housing market, I should have no problem getting a "realtor" (real estate agent) to show me a house. How should one pronounce "realtor?" Hint

ree-lay-TOR (three syllables)

REE-luh-tor (three syllables)

REE-uhl-tor (three syllables)

ree-LAY-tor (three syllables)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Boy, I love the taste of those salt-water fish that spawn in fresh water. They are pink and called "salmon." Just how does one pronounce "salmon" anyway? Hint

SAM-uhn (two syllables)

sal-MON (two syllables)

SAL-muhn (two syllables)

SAL-a-mon (three syllables)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Yeah, I play those Fun Trivia games a lot. You might say I'm on their website "often." What is the preferable pronunciation of "often." Hint

OFF-ton (two syllables)

OFF-un (two syllables)

OOF-ton (two syllables)

AY-a-fun (three syllables)

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Of all the oceans of the world, the Arctic seems to have gotten the least respect. Everybody was always trying to find a Northwest passage THROUGH it, for crying out loud. By the way, how do you pronounce "Arctic"? Hint

AR-kit (two syllables)

ARK-tik (two syllables)

AR-ti-tic (three syllables)

ar-TIKE (two syllables)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Hey! I really dig that shade of purple. Don't they call that "Mauve?" Give me the proper pronunciation of "mauve."

Answer: mohv (long o, one syllable; rhymes with Jove)

Yeah, this one surprised me, too. For years, I pronounced the word MAWVE when I read it. According to www.yourdictionary.com, "this word has not moved far enough enough from French to assume an English pronunciation."

Answer: KAV-uhl-ree (three syllables)

CAV.al.ry: the "long knives," "bluecoats," "mounted soldiers." CAL.va.ry: the place where Christ died.

3. Hmm...I'm wondering whether or not that water is safe to drink. But look! There's a sign that says "potable." How would an American pronounce "potable?"

Answer: POHT-uh-bull (long o, three syllables, rhymes with floatable)

A commonly mispronounced word in the "American camping community" set. I was amazed once, while camping, when this little nerdy guy corrected me. I couldn't WAIT to get home to get my hands on a dictionary. D'oh! He was right.

4. You want help on polynomials from ME? Sorry, son, but higher math is just not my "forte." As used in that sentence, give me the ORIGINAL correct pronunciation of "forte."

Answer: FORT (one syllable)

This one enraged my wife, even after she saw it in the dictionary. "Forte" meaning one's strong point, or something one does particularly well, is derived from the French and pronounced "fort." "Forte" as a MUSICAL term, meaning loud, is of Italian origin, and is pronounced "FOR-tay." Live with it.

5. Hey, you've got diamond rings and lots of shiny things. That's some "jewelry" (or British spelling, jewellery) collection, you have there, babe! How is the word "jewelry" pronounced?

Answer: JOO-uhl-ree (three syllables)

Boy, if I had a buck for each time I heard this word pronounced JOOL-uh-ree by our so-called "Entertainment Media," I'd have enough for at least a month's rent!

6. Yuk! You like romantic comedies? I'm sorry, but that's not a "genre" I'd prefer. How is the word "genre" (meaning a kind or type of literature, art or entertainment) pronounced in American usage?

Answer: ZHAHN-ruh (two syllables)

PBS.com ("Do You Speak American?") says that "this word, borrowed from the French," should keep the "voiced sibilant" similar to the words "rouge" and massage." Therefore, say ZHAHN-ruh.

7. In this housing market, I should have no problem getting a "realtor" (real estate agent) to show me a house. How should one pronounce "realtor?"

Answer: REE-uhl-tor (three syllables)

I'll be honest, here. The only state in which I've EVER heard this word pronounced correctly was New York. In both Texas and Illinois, I've NEVER heard it pronounced correctly!

8. Boy, I love the taste of those salt-water fish that spawn in fresh water. They are pink and called "salmon." Just how does one pronounce "salmon" anyway?

Answer: SAM-uhn (two syllables)

That's right. The "L" is silent. Truth be told, although usage seems to be changing among the educated in America, the same holds true for "calm" (kahm: rhymes with Tom), palm (pahm: rhymes with Tom) and the last name "Palmer" (PAHM-mer). Hold the "l," people!

9. Yeah, I play those Fun Trivia games a lot. You might say I'm on their website "often." What is the preferable pronunciation of "often."

Answer: OFF-un (two syllables)

Yes, the only definition in the "Webster's New World Dictionary" (1989) is OFF-un
(or AHF-un, if you come from California.) OFF-ton is listed as a variant, but as PBS.com "Do You Speak American" points out, we don't say the "t" in glisten, soften, castle, listen etc., so why do we want to say the "t" in often?

Answer: ARK-tik (two syllables)

According to yourdictionary.com, "the 'c' is hard-to-see, but it's there." Don't be lazy; pronounce it. Merriam Webster, on the other hand,offers AR-tic as an alternative pronunciation, possibly in recognition of the widespread usage of this mispronunciation.

Source: Author snediger

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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